A service address is the official contact address for a company director, secretary, subscriber, Person with Significant Control (PSC), or LLP member. These individuals are legally required to provide a service address for the public record when they join a company, either during or after the incorporation process.

• A central Services Address-£26.00 per year
• What is registered office Address?
• The SAIL Explained

Companies House, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), and other UK government agencies send personal statutory mail to these individuals at their designated service addresses. You can use any physical postal address worldwide, whether residential or non-residential, including the registered office of your company.

There is no obligation to visit or work at your service address. It is solely required for official contact purposes and to be listed on the public Companies Register at Companies House.

A professional service address is a popular choice for many company directors. Typically provided by company formation agents and secretarial firms, this type of address service is especially useful if you don’t have commercial business premises. It is an effective way to protect your privacy while maintaining a professional image.

What is the difference between a service address and a registered office address?

A service address is required for all company directors, LLP members, company secretaries, subscribers (initial shareholders or guarantors who join a company during incorporation), and individuals or entities listed as Persons with Significant Control (PSCs). This address is used for official correspondence and receives personal statutory mail from government bodies such as HMRC and Companies House. It can be located anywhere in the world.

In contrast, a registered office address is the official address of a limited company or LLP. It is where all statutory company mail and legal notices are sent and where the company’s statutory registers and records should be kept unless a Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL) address is used. A registered office must be situated in the same part of the UK where the company or LLP is incorporated.

Can I use my home address as my service address?

Yes, there are no legal restrictions on using a private residence as a service address. However, since these details are included in the public register, many people opt for a non-residential address to maintain their privacy.

An effective alternative is to use a professional Service Address provided by a company formation agent like HopeTex. This address is listed on the public record as your official service address. Your government mail is initially received there and then scanned and forwarded to you via email.

Can I use my company’s registered office as a service address?

Yes, you can use your company’s registered office address as a service address. This is a common practice as it consolidates all mail to a single location.

What mail is delivered to a service address?

Only official government mail and legal notices addressed to the service address holder are delivered to the service address. However, you can use the same address for the service address, registered office, and as a general contact or business address.

Can I use a PO Box as a service address?

You can use a PO Box as long as you also provide Companies House with the full postal address of the building where the PO Box is located, including the building number, street address, and postcode. Simply providing a PO Box number alone is not allowed.

Can service addresses be anywhere in the world?

Unlike a registered office, there are no restrictions to the geographical location of service addresses. This means that your service address can be anywhere in the UK or abroad.

Do company secretaries require a service address?

Yes, company secretaries are legally required to have service addresses.

Do shareholders and guarantors require service addresses?

Yes, shareholders and guarantors who are subscribers to the company must provide an address for the public record. However, shareholders and guarantors who join the company after its formation are not required to provide service addresses unless they are also Persons with Significant Control (PSCs).

Do LLP members require service addresses?

Yes, LLP members must provide a service address to Companies House when they join the LLP, whether it’s during or after incorporation.

Will my service address be displayed on the public record?

Companies House places all service addresses on public record to ensure transparency and openness in the UK corporate system. If you change your service address, you must notify Companies House as soon as possible to update the public record with the new address.

The only exception applies to subscribers who are not Persons with Significant Control (PSCs). If their service address details change after incorporation, they do not need to update this information with Companies House. However, if they are PSCs, they must report the change of address.

Can I change my service address?

You can update the service address for directors, PSCs, and LLP members at any time. To do this, you must notify Companies House using the appropriate form:

• Form CH01 for company directors
• Form PSC04 for PSCs
• Form LL CH01 for LLP members

These forms can be submitted online through HopeTex free Online Company Manager. The updated information will be recorded at Companies House and appear on the public register within approximately 24 hours of submission.

HopeTex Service Address

HopeTex offers a distinguished London Service Address in Covent Garden for just £26.00 (plus VAT) per year. This service is ideal for company directors and other individuals affiliated with UK-registered limited companies and LLPs.